General FAQs

Why have you installed this network?

To kickstart Britain’s electric car revolution!

Before the Electric Highway, people didn’t buy electric cars because of the lack of charging facilities. And people didn’t build charging facilities because not enough people bought electric cars. Classic chicken and egg stuff.

Another barrier to the faster take up of electric cars was something called ‘range anxiety’ – the fear of running out of juice when travelling any serious kind of distance.

This is where our Electric Highway comes in – Britain’s first and biggest national network of electricity pumps, our mission is to make it easier for electric vehicle owners to make long distance journeys – to help make EVs the logical choice for Britain’s drivers.

Why a motorway network?

Because that’s where electricity pumps are most needed.

Before the Electric Highway, the big focus for charging facilities was towns and city centres – but that’s where they’re needed least.

You only need to look at car use statistics for the answer. The average car in Britain travels around 20 miles a day, a distance most modern electric cars can sustain for almost a week without needing to charge.

Most car owners have access to off-street parking (70 per cent apparently)and are able to charge at home at night.

So most cars don’t need to charge, most days. It’s longer journeys where charging is most needed.

As well as the motorway network, we’ve also installed electricity pumps at IKEA stores, Liverpool Airport (more airports to come), and are rolling out on strategic A roads.

How do I know if a electricity pump is up and running?

The map is not live, but it’s as close as we can make it at the moment. If you have any queries, you can email us on
fortheroad@ecotricity.co.uk or phone us on 01453 761455.

Are the electricity pumps situated on both sides of the motorway?

Yes, if there are motorway services on both sides, there'll be a electricity pump at each.

I've registered for a swipe card but not received it. What's happening?

It takes up to 14 days for your card to arrive. If you still haven’t received it by then, please call Ecotricity customer services on 01453 761455 or
ping us an email.

Can I use my swipe card for other networks?

No, you can’t use your Electric Highway card on other networks. However, if you're a member of Source London, Source East, Plugged In Midlands or CYC you can use your card to access our electricity pumps. And we're working to extend this further in future.

Will you keep it free to use your electricity pumps?

At the moment we’re focused on helping electric car owners to get around the UK easily. This may change in future, but we’ve no plans to start charging for our electricity pumps right now.

Will you expand the existing sites as more people get electric vehicles?

Yes, we’ll add new electricity pumps as more people start driving electric vehicles. We’re doubling up points at many of our locations now.

What happens if my battery is very flat and I need to stay longer than the two hours ‘allowed’ to charge up?

At all motorway service areas car parking charges will apply as normal after the allocated free period. If you have any questions about how to pay for parking, please contact the motorway service area where you will be charging. If you need to stay longer please ask to speak to the site duty manager.

What is a Type 2 lead set?

A Type 2 lead set allows you to connect your vehicle to a 7-Pin Mennekes socket – a standard socket at medium electricity pumps. The lead set usually has a connector on one end that connects from the inlet in your vehicle (usually either 5 pin or 7-pin) to the Mennekes 7-pin socket.

Is my car supplied with a Type 2 lead set?

It depends on the make your vehicle – we suggest you ask the manufacturer. But if your cable doesn’t have a 7-pin connector that would plug into a 7-pin socket – it isn’t a Type 2 lead set.

Where can I buy a Type 2 lead set?

We don’t recommend anywhere or anyone in particular. But it is pretty easy to get one online.

Get In Touch

To get in touch, just drop us an email to
fortheroad@ecotricity.co.uk, or give us a call on 01453 761455 between 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday.